Spain: Mediapro must pay Canal Plus €32m

Spanish production company Mediapro has lost another battle in the football war with Canal Plus. The International Court of the Paris Commerce Chamber has ruled that Mediapro must pay €32 million to Canal Plus, now owned by Telefonica, in compensation for the excessive cost of the football TV rights in a 2012 contract.

Canal Plus signed an agreement in August 2012 for the exploitation of TV rights to La Liga and La Copa (The King’s Cup) for three years. In their dispute, both parties appealed to the Paris court which has confirmed that Canal Plus paid more in 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 seasons than in 2014-2015 and obliged Mediapro to return the €32 million.

Currently, Mediapro is in dispute with Telefonica over the football rights to the European Champions League through beIN Sports. The company has reached deals with all other operators except for Telefónica.